The Health Center provides resources that assist in some of the most obvious issues on college campuses, such as stress, as well as more subtle concerns, such as smoking- an activity which has much larger associations among college students than you might know.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2018 that the 15.5 percent of smokers reported in 2015-2016 had not decreased drastically like it had years prior. Approximately thirteen out of every 100 adults aged 18-24 years and about 18 out of every 100 adults aged 24-45 years smokes tobacco. With the average college student being 29 years of age, one can infer that approximately 18 percent of Cypress’ 15,881 population smokes- roughly equalling 2,795 smokers, more than the population of the average high school. The Cypress College website provides many options and suggestions for kicking the habit, including coalitions for finding solutions to combat nicotine addiction and stress.
Stress is one of the most persistent issues affecting students today, and is a major factor leading to tobacco usage, and is associated with a myriad of mental health concerns. Despite low levels of stress being healthy for an individual, high levels can lead to major depression. Ten percent of those depressed were not triggered by stressful events, however, which leaves both kinds of students vulnerable. The CC Health Center provides resources at the greatest convenience whether it’s hotlines, websites, affordable counseling at various locations, and emergency services, especially for veterans.
In addition to stress, poor dieting can be a major factor in depression in students. An analysis done in Psychiatric Research revealed that Western diets have an association with depression; this includes consumption of products with added sugars and processed meats, which are notoriously inexpensive compared to more balanced meals. Those without the access or funds for dieticians can find that Cypress College’s Health Resources includes a website that caters to all genders and ages with specific dietary needs, with insight on saving money, food allergies, nutrition facts, meal prep suggestions, and more.
The rise of the #MeToo movement has put the hardships women and men endure into perspective in terms of the amount of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse taking place on campuses as well, factors that also contribute to periods of depression and risk of suicide. Eleven percent of college students experience a form of sexual assault or rape.
Sexual misconduct victims are 23.1 percent female, 5.4 percent male, 18 percent non-female (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming, questioning) and 2 percent non-male (TGNQ) students. Women in college are three times as likely to be raped than general women and two times as likely to be sexually assaulted than robbed, a Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network study found. Victims became highly susceptible to depression, Post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse. The Health Center on campus provides resources in the form of hotlines, hospitals for evidence collection, therapy referrals, shelters, and sexually transmitted disease testing for victims of sexual misconduct.
When registering for classes, you’ll notice the $19 health fee, which contributes to the facilities readily available for you. With additional minor fees for copies of records, lab work, or injections, the Cypress College Health Center can provide alternative means of support in order for you to lead a healthy college lifestyle.